Drinking as an adult is completely different than when you were younger. The repercussions are more severe and are enforced more often. It is important to know your limits and understand when it is appropriate and safe to consume larger quantities of alcohol. In college there was a drinking culture where most people would consume alcohol on the weekends at the very least and the limits of such drinking were much higher than they normally are in a post-collegiate environment. Figuring out how to safely and responsibly enjoy alcohol is an important part of being successful in the real world.
For those who are unaware of the guidelines for the legal amount of alcohol to drink before it is unsafe to drive a vehicle here is a helpful chart:
[link to chart]
When in doubt about whether or not you can safely operate a vehicle it is best to err on the side of caution. Taking a cab or asking someone you trust to give you a ride home are much better options than creating a potentially dangerous situation.
In the real world there are serious consequences for the mismanagement of alcohol. Driving while under the influence is a serious offence which can cause your license to be suspended or worse depending on the circumstances. It is important to know the laws regarding alcohol consumption for the area in which you will be drinking before going out for the evening.
There is no reason that your use of alcohol has to change after your educational stage of your life ends, but it is important to make sure that everything you do surrounding this behavior is safe and legal. Much of adult life can be enhanced by sharing drinks with friends, but there are few things that will cause such big problems when used inappropriately. Enjoy responsibly and you will be able to help others do the same.